In Current Affairs for 20 October 2025, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Defence Current Affairs 20 October 2025
INS Magdala Launched at Cochin Shipyard Limited
The sixth vessel in the series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), INS Magdala, was launched at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. The event marked another milestone in India’s initiative toward maritime self-reliance under the Ministry of Defence.
INS Magdala has been indigenously designed and constructed by CSL, with the first ship of the series expected to be delivered by October 2025. These ASW SWCs are intended to strengthen the Indian Navy’s capabilities in underwater surveillance, anti-submarine operations, and mine-laying activities.
The ship operates on three diesel-engine-powered waterjets and is equipped with advanced sensors such as a Hull Mounted Sonar and Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS). Its armament includes state-of-the-art torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, an NSG-30 gun, and 12.7 mm SRCG. With over 80% indigenous content, the vessel significantly enhances India’s maritime defence preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
India Developing Compact 200 MW Nuclear Reactors for Ships
India is advancing its nuclear technology by developing compact 200 MW nuclear reactors capable of being deployed on commercial vessels. These reactors are being designed to generate power through nuclear fission, enabling mobile and efficient energy production.
Scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) are currently working on two reactors, one with a capacity of 55 MW and another of 200 MW, which can be used in both industrial power plants and marine applications.
Presently, India operates two indigenous nuclear submarines — INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, powered by 83 MW reactors. A third submarine, INS Aridhaman, is undergoing trials. The government also plans to amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, to facilitate private sector participation in the civil nuclear field.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a national goal to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, a significant leap from the existing 8.8 GW.
Zorawar Light Tank Achieves High-Precision Missile Strike
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a major breakthrough with the successful test-firing of the NAG MK-2 Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from the Zorawar Light Tank on 17 October 2025. This event showcased India’s capability to integrate advanced weapon systems on indigenous armoured platforms.
The NAG MK-2 missile demonstrated exceptional top-attack accuracy, hitting targets with pinpoint precision. The Zorawar, designed between 2022 and 2024, is built by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in partnership with Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Weighing under 25 tonnes, the tank is ideal for high-altitude operations like those in Eastern Ladakh, where heavier tanks face mobility challenges. It features a Cockerill 105 mm high-pressure gun, John Cockerill 3000-series turret, and is powered by a 760 hp Cummins diesel engine, reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h. The Zorawar provides a potent mix of firepower, mobility, and precision for the Indian Army’s light armoured fleet.
India Surpasses China as Asia’s Strongest Air Force
According to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) 2025 rankings, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has emerged as Asia’s strongest air force, ranking above China. While this reflects India’s growing aerial capability, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining preparedness along the India-China border, which stretches over 4,000 kilometres.
India and China have a long history of border conflicts — including the 1962 war, and later clashes at Nathu La (1967), Doklam (2017), and Galwan Valley (2020). The IAF has also demonstrated its operational strength during Operation Sindoor, countering aircraft like China’s J-10CE and JF-17 Thunder, as well as PL-15 missiles.
Globally, the United States Air Force (USAF) holds the top position, followed by Russia, while India leads in Asia. The WDMMA ranking system evaluates countries based on technology, aircraft strength, combat readiness, pilot training, and operational balance — factors that collectively determine the efficiency of a modern air force.
Review Questions
- The sixth ASW SWC INS Magdala, was launched at which shipyard?
A. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
B. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited
C. Cochin Shipyard Limited
D. Hindustan Shipyard Limited
ANSWER: C - The 200 MW nuclear power reactors being developed by India are compact
units designed for which unique purpose?
A. Powering fighter aircraft
B. Deployment on commercial ships
C. Operating underwater drones
D. Supplying energy to remote villages
ANSWER: B - The Zorawar Light Tank recently achieved a successful test-firing of which
indigenous missile?
A. HELINA
B. Nag MK-2
C. Dhruvastra
D. SANT
ANSWER: B - Which of the following is not true about the Zorawar Light Tank?
A. It weighs under 25 tonnes
B. It is powered by a 760 hp diesel engine
C. It was designed jointly by Russia and India
D. It is equipped with a 105 mm high-pressure gun
ANSWER: C - According to WDMMA 2025 rankings, which air force ranks above China in
Asia?
A. Japan Air Self-Defense Force
B. Royal Thai Air Force
C. Indian Air Force
D. South Korean Air Force
ANSWER: C - Ex CYCLONE Conducted b/w India &
A. France
B. Oman
C. UAE
D. Egypt
ANSWER: D - Infantry Day of Indian Army In India Is Observed On
A. 13 Sep
B. 14 Sep
C. 27 Oct
D. 16 Sep
ANSWER: C - India’s Largest Floating Solar Power Project Commissioned In
A. Pune, M.H.
B. Chennai, T.N
C. Ranikhet, UK
D. Ramagundam, Telangana
ANSWER: D - Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) Is Located In
A. New Delhi
B. Bengaluru
C. Chennai
D. Kochi
ANSWER: B - Central Air Command of IAF Is Located In
A. Shillong
B. Gandhinagar
C. Prayagraj
D. None of the above
ANSWER: C - The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) motto is
A. Always be there
B. Service for Nation
C. 24*7
D. Disaster Service Forever
ANSWER: D - Third-generation anti-tank missile is __?
A. Prithvi
B. Akash
C. Trishul
D. Nag
ANSWER: D - Range of the K-15 Sagarika missile is-
A. 700 km
B. 500 km
C. 400 km
D. 200 km
ANSWER: A - The Headquarters and Secretariat of the SAARC Is In
A. Kathmandu
B. Dhaka
C. New Delhi
D. None
ANSWER: A - Bangui Is The Capital Of
A. Cape Verde
B. Qatar
C. Central African Republic
D. Maldives
ANSWER: C - “Arms and the Man” Book Is Written By
A. George Bernard Shaw
B. Jules Verne
C. Gunnar Myrdal
D. Lewis Wallace
ANSWER: A - The Port Duqm is in
A. Yemen
B. Iran
C. Iraq
D. Oman
ANSWER: D - Regimental Centre Of THE BRIGADE OF THE GUARDS
A. Kamptee, Maharashtra
B. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
C. Delhi Cantonment
D. Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh
ANSWER: A - Western Air Command (WAC) Is In
A. Mumbai
B. New Delhi
C. Chennai
D. Panaji
ANSWER: B - Range of K-9 Vajra Howitzer is
A. 40km
B. 38km
C. 20km
D. 55km
ANSWER: B
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